- IDENTIFICATION OF PHYTOMORPHS IN THE VOYNICH CODEX 43
U. Menyanthaceae
- Fol. 2v.Nymphoides aquatica(Fig. 1.40).The rounded notched
leaves with white flowers and thick rhizome (Fig. 1.40a) closely resem-
blesNymphoides aquatica(J. F. Gmel.) Kuntze (Fig. 1.40b). This aquatic
plant with floating orbicular leaves and white flowers (Fig. 1.40b) with
five petals is native to North America, from New Jersey to Texas. The
horizontal rhizome bears thick, unbranched adventitious roots that in
young plants resemble a bunch of bananas (Richards et al. 2010), earn-
ing it the popular name the banana plant. Another possibility, because
the flower petals are illustrated with a crenate margin, isN. indica(L.)
Kuntze, which has fringed petals and is native to not only Mexico but
also Asia, Africa, and Australia.
(a)(b)Fig. 1.40. Nymphoides aquatica: (a) fol. 2v; (b)N. aquatica(Source: Center for Aquatic
and Invasive plants, University of Florida).